The Good Dinosaur

You don’t need to go back to prehistoric times to find some of the familiar narrative devices in The Good Dinosaur, an animated coming-of-age adventure that theorizes a friendly coexistence between dinos and humans.

It’s the latest from the Pixar juggernaut, a heartfelt story of friendship and courage aimed primarily at children whose more discerning parents might not find it as amusing.

The story follows a virtuous young Apatosaurus named Arlo (voiced by Raymond Ochoa), who’s undersized and bashful compared to his brother and sister, who earn praise from their father, Henry (Jeffrey Wright), for helping out on the family farm while Arlo struggles to fit in.

Nevertheless, Henry keeps encouraging the diminutive youngster to make his mark on the world. Those words come with tragic consequences, however, during a vicious storm when father and son try to find the mischievous thief of their corn crop.

Arlo finds himself on his own, and must fend for himself by forming a reluctant bond with the pesky critter, who is actually an orphaned Neanderthal boy named Spot (Jack Bright) who shares Arlo’s guilt-ridden abandonment issues. Spot’s resourcefulness becomes critical for Arlo during a perilous attempt to find his way back home.

The simplistic script lacks the depth of most of its Pixar counterparts, and therefore rates as a lesser effort for the studio, although kids might embrace the underdog protagonist and the slapstick creature antics. It should create an appetite for plush-toy sales during the holidays.

Perhaps the biggest issue is the timid and naive Arlo, who isn’t that interesting compared to his nonverbal sidekick and the periphery characters that pop up along their journey.

As we’ve come to expect from Pixar, the computer animation is crisply detailed, especially with the background texture of its lush landscapes. The film, which marks the directorial debut of veteran animator Peter Sohn, might thrill animation buffs who should appreciate those technical achievements.

The Good Dinosaur conveys worthwhile lessons with minimal subtlety or surprise about bravery, teamwork, forgiveness, and conquering your fears. Although there are a few modestly touching moments that might elicit a few tears, especially near the end, it never capitalizes on its potential to bring species together.

Rated PG, 93 minutes.